The woman, always wearing a flowing black dress and carrying a walking stick and bag, has thus far been sighted alone on busy roads in Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia.

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Her travels have been regularly documented in recent weeks on a dedicated Facebook page, and on Twitter using the hashtag #womaninblack.

Many claim they tried to speak to her but found she politely declined their offers of assistance.

I asked her if she needed or wanted a ride, she said no. I asked her if she wanted something to drink, she said no. I asked her what was her mission, she said just walking. She was smoking and really didn't want to talk.

– Judy Shugars, Facebook

A picture of the mystery woman posted on 23 July. Credit: Where is the Mysterious Woman in Black?/Facebook

A number of rumours have circulated as to the reasons for her journey, with some claiming she is on a religious mission.

However, amid all the speculation, one man claims he has the answer to who the mystery woman really is.